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Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic has confirmed his club’s interest in signing Liverpool centre-back Ben Davies.

The lowdown

Liverpool spent £2million to bring Davies to Anfield in the January transfer window. It was something of an emergency signing, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all sidelined until the end of the season (via BBC Sport).

Davies, though, didn’t see a minute of action in the latter half of the campaign, sitting behind Nathaniel Phillips, Rhys Williams and loanee Ozan Kabak in Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order.

He did don the Liverpool shirt at the beginning of pre-season, featuring in a 30-minute mini-game against Austrian outfit Wacker Innsbruck, but he’s since returned to the UK to address a personal matter.

According to journalist David Lynch, the Reds are keen to arrange a permanent exit for the 25-year-old but accept that a loan deal is more likely.

The latest

Speaking ahead of United’s Championship season opener against Birmingham City, Jokanovic said (via Yorkshire Live): “Yes, I am interested in both players [the second being Sampdoria midfielder Ronaldo Vieira].

“People are on their way. We move and are expecting in these next few hours there can be some news.

“We are in different battles, but I hope we will bring in as soon as possible a new addition into the squad.”

The verdict

If a sale isn’t possible this summer, then Liverpool should look to line one up next year. They could do so by inserting a clause into the loan whereby the Blades would have to sign Davies if he played a certain number of games over the course of the season.

He cost just £2million but that was largely because he had only six months left to run on his deal. On the ability and experience he’s shown in the second tier, you’d think the Reds could at least double their money if he impresses on a temporary deal.

If Davies is to go elsewhere, Liverpool should ensure they keep Phillips around as an insurance option in the event of another injury pile-up.

In other news, fans react to a contract update from James Pearce. 

Leeds United have made an approach for Manchester City midfielder Yangel Herrera, and he could be a massive upgrade on Mateusz Klich.

What’s the story?

Leeds-based podcast Talking Shutt had previously revealed that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have got their eye on signing the Venezuela international this summer and that he is one of the players they have short-listed.

And now, speaking to LUFCFANZONE, Herrera’s agent has confirmed that the Whites have made an approach and asked about the midfielder’s situation, but at the moment, that’s as far as it has gone.

Massive upgrade on Klich

Able to play as a box-to-box central midfielder and even slightly deeper like Kalvin Phillips, Herrera’s arrival at Elland Road would see Leeds sign someone who is significantly better than Klich.

Speaking to The Transfer Tavern, La Liga expert Euan McTear raved about the Venezuelan’s performances last season while on loan at Spanish side Granada, saying: “He’s been key to their qualification for Europa League and then the run to the quarter-finals.

“He’s like a classic box-to-box midfielder, a bit of a throwback in that way. His first instinct is to try and dribble, to pass it forward, charging forward he took so many shots this season, he would get in the box, he scored quite a few goals early on when they were lacking strikers and attacking midfielders and that’s the thing too, he’s been really versatile.”

Meanwhile, Venezuelan football expert and journalist Carlos Ponte said: “In Venezuela, we’ve never had as complete a footballer Yangel – elegant in possession, tall, very physically imposing, good at bringing the ball out, good in the air, the right mentality, and a good head on his shoulders.

“He has a lot of energy and stamina, is great at providing cover and a true team player. He’s good at bringing the ball out with a certain degree of elegance.”

And that “awareness” and being able to spot danger is clearly seen in his defensive numbers last season in La Liga – as per Sofascore, he averaged almost two tackles and one interception per game, while he’s an absolute monster in the 50/50s, winning a mind-boggling 8.2 duels per match in La Liga at a success rate of 51%.

To put that into context, Klich averaged just 1.1 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per match in the Premier League, while he could only win a measly 2.4 duels at a success rate of 36%.

Herrera meanwhile also bagged eight goals and provided two assists in all competitions last season, while Klich could only find the back of the net just four times, with Bielsa slowly easing the 31-year-old out of the starting line-up towards the closing stages of the season – he completed the full 90 minutes just twice in Leeds’ last 12 Premier League games.

It’s clear that the £17m-rated Herrera would be a huge upgrade on what Leeds have with the Poland international.

Meanwhile, Leeds facing major transfer blow as fresh twist emerges…

Fabrizio Romano has dropped a major update on Leeds United’s pursuit of Club Brugge starlet Noa Lang in this summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to recent reports from The Telegraph, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been been watching the 21-year-old, although they are set to face intense competition to try and land him.

Romano has now revealed via his official Twitter account that Leeds are indeed interested in the £19.8m-rated Lang, adding that while the Belgian champions will continue trying to offer him a new deal, the Whites want to commence transfer talks.

The journalist declared: “Leeds are interested in signing Noa Lang from Club Brugge – the Belgian club will try to keep him offering a new contract but Leeds want to open talks.”

Exciting talent for Bielsa

Called a “phenomenon” by Belgian journalist Peter Vandenbempt, the winger made history when he became the first player in 60 years to mark his debut with a hat-trick for Ajax, a feat which prompted manager Erik ten Hag to rave about him after that game.

The 51-year-old said: “He showed (his talent) today and I am very happy with that. Noa shows (his ability) it during training and during the reserve matches. And today he has also clearly shown it at the highest level too.”

Able to play anywhere across the frontline, Lang has shown he has a real eye for goal in his loan spell at Brugge last season (he is due to become their player outright on 1 July), scoring 17 goals and providing a further 11 assists in just 37 games, including netting in the Champions League against Zenit St Petersburg.

Just like Raphinha, Lang is an excitingly direct dribbler, averaging 1.4 dribbles per game in the Belgian top flight, a figure which ranks him just outside the top ten in the entire division.

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Given that he is only 21, Lang could be the kind of long-term project who thrives under Bielsa and proves to become a real superstar at Elland Road as the years progress.

With the volume of goals and assists that Lang delivered last season, and with him still being very much in the infancy of his career, a move for the youngster would surely have Leeds fans buzzing at the thought of him shining at Elland Road if they can land his signature.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has dropped a major Leeds United update…

Yorkshire Live wrter Steven Chicken has dropped a worrying opinion on Lee Gregory, regarding Sheffield Wednesday’s interest in the attacker.

What’s the talk?

Yorkshire Live writer Chicken has cast doubt over Sheffield Wednesday’s reported swoop for Stoke striker Lee Gregory. Football League World had reported earlier this month that Sheffield Wednesday are set to sign Gregory from Stoke on a free transfer this summer.

However, Chicken has now claimed that a move may be unlikely for Gregory. The journalist writes that Gregory’s wages may not fit in with what Wednesday will be able to afford this summer, whilst also ruling out a deal for Preston’s Jayden Stockley for the same reason.

Earlier this year, Derby boss Wayne Rooney claimed Gregory was a “handful” to deal with for opposition players and praised his enthusiasm off the bench. He told RamsTV, as relayed by Derby News:

“I thought Lee Gregory was great for us when he came on. He showed great energy and enthusiasm.

“He was a handful and I think he really lifted the rest of the team when he came on with his energy. I was delighted with him.”

Fans will be gutted

Sheffield Wednesday fans will be gutted if this update from Chicken turns out to be accurate. When the initial report from FLW came out, it appeared as though the club were set to sign an experienced, proven, striker at League One and Championship level.

That could have been a major boost to Darren Moore’s squad as Gregory has shown that he can score goals in the second and third tiers of English football.

The £12k-per-week dynamo has an impressive resume in League One and the Championship. In the third tier, Gregory has scored 35 goals in 78 games and provided nine assists. Meanwhile, Gregory has scored 40 and assisted 18 in 183 Championship appearances throughout his career. This suggests that he is a reliable player at Championship level and that he excels as a goalscorer in League One, the division Wednesday will be in next season.

If Wednesday do miss out on Gregory due to his wage demands then it could be yet another consequence of the ongoing off-field issues.

The Star reported earlier this month that some players were considering handing in their notices due to missed salary payments, as Wednesday continue to struggle with their finances in the midst of the pandemic.

Dejphon Chansiri has been struggling to pay his players and this could now translate into the club not being able to land one of their targets.

AND in other news, SWFC dealt transfer blow over “unplayable” £5.4k-p/w ace, Moore surely gutted…

According to a report by the Daily Mail, new Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espirito Santo has just been handed a big Harry Kane boost ahead of his first full season in charge of the Lilywhites.

The Lowdown: Kane looking for exit…

Tottenham’s star striker has been heavily linked with a move away from north London this summer ever since Sky Sports broke the news that he wishes to move on.

Of all the interested parties, Premier League champions Manchester City have made the first move for him, tabling a £100 million bid.

That offer has since been rejected despite Kane’s wish to exit N17, with chairman Daniel Levy taking a hard line stance when it comes to his superstar asset.

The Latest: Nuno gifted Kane boost…

As per the Mail, Spurs boss Nuno has just been handed a big boost in potentially guiding Tottenham to a successful 2021/2022 campaign, and it involves Kane.

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The outlet believes that Tottenham and Levy have now personally assured Nuno that his best player isn’t going anywhere this summer and to start planning for life with him in the team.

This development highlights Spurs will continue to resist offers for the 27-year-old with Levy apparently making the club’s intentions clear behind the scenes.

The Verdict: Good news for Nuno…

The 47-year-old has a mountainous task on his hands after putting to pen to paper on a two-year Tottenham deal, and that is to restore faith and pride in the club.

Jose Mourinho’s tenure has left a sour taste in the mouth of supporters and Spurs’ hapless search for a new manager, which lasted for over two months, certainly hasn’t helped matters.

Nuno needs all the help he can get with this massive challenge at Tottenham and potentially keeping Kane, who Alan Shearer recently dubbed ‘magnificent’, will boost the Portuguese’ chances of making it a success.

In other news: ‘I’d be excited, Spurs fans’…Stan Collymore thrilled by major news out of N17, find out more here.

Former Premier League manager Lawrie Sanchez told The Transfer Tavern that Steven Gerrard would struggle to reject the Tottenham job, but believes he should stay at Rangers.

It’s strongly believed that Gerrard will eventually replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but following the Reds’ impressive end to the campaign, that’s incredibly unlikely to be the case this summer.

As a result, the Rangers boss is constantly being linked with other jobs, one of which being Spurs, who are still without a manager more than six weeks after Jose Mourinho’s sacking.

Gerrard has overseen Rangers for three seasons, and finally guided them to their first Scottish Premiership title for more than a decade.

It was more the manor that has seen the former Liverpool midfielder draw the plaudits, though. His Rangers outfit reached 100 points for the first time ever and managed to remain unbeaten throughout the league campaign, ending Celtic’s hopes of an unprecedented 10 in a row.

But would he snap up the opportunity to join Spurs or remain at Rangers, who’re now back in the Champions League?

Sanchez told The Transfer Tavern:

“I think he’d find it difficult to turn down. Klopp is going to be there for another couple of years at least.

“If I was Stevie G, I would win the title with Rangers again and wait and see – Klopp has had a poor year. If he goes to Spurs, and fails, you saw what happened with Lampard at Chelsea, it’s held against you.

“If offered, very difficult to turn down. If I were him, I’d think ‘I’m going to do the treble with Rangers’ and by this time next year, the Liverpool situation might have improved.”

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were delighted with the performance of Joe Aribo during their comprehensive victory over Aberdeen on Saturday.

The Gers finished the 2020/21 campaign in style with a comfortable victory over the Dons thanks to a Joe Lewis own-goal and a brace from Kemar Roofe. The result means that, for the first time in the history of the club, the Gers have gone a whole top-flight campaign unbeaten (Daily Record), and they will be able to celebrate as they lift the trophy at Ibrox after the match.

Aribo was deployed in the unfamiliar position of left-back with Borna Barisic unavailable, and the Nigeria international put in a fantastic performance. He linked up particularly well with left-winger Ryan Kent as the Gers bossed the game.

Aribo has come in for criticism from some Gers supporters in the past, but he proved them wrong here as his passing was near-perfect, while he also won several duels this afternoon.

These Rangers fans were happy with what they saw from the 24-year-old today, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Aribo below

“Kent and Aribo running the show at the moment! Could be and should be a cricket score”

Credit: @MartinBriderKRE

“Kent and Aribo on the left together is a cheat code”

Credit: @wilson_baillie

“Aribo and Kent are playing unreal!!!”

Credit: @RobsTia99

“Kent and Aribo. Magic.”

Credit: @james_ws_whyte

“I love Borna but watching Kent and Aribo down that left side is mesmerising”

Credit: @a22an

“Kent and Aribo are too good for this league man, utter filth”

Credit: @CMCC_1872

In other news, many Rangers fans are livid over this journalist’s comments.

Jacob Murphy has revived his Newcastle United career since being deployed as a wing-back and Keith Gillespie, who joined the Magpies as part of the deal that saw Andy Cole join Manchester United, has spoken exclusively to Football FanCast about the winger’s future at the club.

After having to go out on two separate loan spells since joining Newcastle in 2017, Murphy has become a mainstay in Steve Bruce’s side during the Magpies’ recent upturn in form having started the last eight league games.

Murphy, who grew up supporting Newcastle, has scored two crucial goals this season against Wolves and Burnley, and Bruce has admitted that he wants the club to offer the winger a new deal.

Speaking on why Murphy has to remain at the club given his consistent performances and how he has the ability to change a game single handily, Gillespie exclusively told FFC:

“I’d keep him because he can change a game in an instance. So, he is definitely one of the players I’d be looking to keep at the club.

‘Ultimately, it’s up to the manager who will decide if he’s going to be a regular because players themselves want to be playing regular football.”

Having signed from Norwich City ahead of the Magpies’ first season back in the Championship, the £25,000 per week winger struggled as he was farmed out on loan to Sheffield Wednesday in 2019, where Bruce was manager at the time.

Bruce and the Newcastle board will have some tough decisions to make this summer as they have several first-team players who are set to become free agents.

Former Everton star Michael Ball says that the next manager has to get along with Marcel Brands if he is to be a success at Goodison Park.

The Toffees are on the hunt for a new boss since the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, who shockingly left his job to join Real Madrid after Zinedine Zidane left his role at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It is unclear who will be chosen to come in and replace the Italian but ex-Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo appeared to be the frontrunner prior to developments seeing him touted as the top target for Crystal Palace, though there is also said to be interest in David Moyes, who is under contract at West Ham United.

Brands is staying at Goodison Park as the club’s Director of Football, and he is leading the chase for Ancelotti’s successor.

As a result, Ball believes that whoever comes into the club must agree to work alongside the Dutchman, and give him the power to strengthen the squad, instead of disagreeing over pursuits of players et al.

He also believes that owner Farhad Moshiri cannot be at the forefront of the chase for a new boss, given his track record of mistakes in the market.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Ball said: “It’s a huge decision for Moshiri and he’s got it wrong quite a few times. He’s spent a lot of money so I understand why he wants his input but you’re paying a guy there, Marcel Brands, to have a relationship with the manager, you want them to be on the same page.

“You don’t want them to be hammer and tongs, you know, ‘this is my player, this is my player’ and have two or three people on recruitment, which we have in the past, and it hasn’t worked.”

Leicester City could potentially have a star on their hands next season as Kamal Sowah returns from his loan spell at OH Leuven.

The Ghana international, who has been with the Belgian outfit for the past three seasons, has been contracted to the Foxes since January 2018 but is yet to be afforded his first team debut at the King Power Stadium.

With Leuven manager Marc Brys suggesting that he working on keeping the midfielder in Belgium beyond the expiry of his loan deal, it might now be time for Brendan Rodgers to grant Sowah his chance at Leicester.

In his time with Leuven, the 21-year-old has been in great form. He has made 72 appearances for the Proximus League outfit, scoring 13 goals and providing ten assists in all competitions.

The majority of those have come in the current campaign, with Sowah having racked up 14 direct goal contributions, that record only being beaten by striker Thomas Henry and attacking midfielder Xavier Mercier.

Intriguingly, the former has already been waxing lyrical about the on-loan Leicester man, stating that he is a “complete player”.

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That is certainly praise which the Leicester hierarchy will want to hear with Sowah penning a new long-term deal with the club in September 2020.

Considering his form and the faith put him in by the Foxes with that aforementioned contract extension, he could soon be primed for an opportunity at the King Power Stadium. Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers was publicly on the search for a midfielder in the January transfer window but a move failed to transpire.

If such a player remains on the Foxes’ shopping list heading into the summer, Sowah could certainly be the man tasked with that responsibility instead of being once again allowed to rejoin Leuven.

Should he continue his upward trajectory in the East Midlands, he could be a star in the making for Leicester.

AND in more news, take a closer look at Kelechi Iheanacho’s fantastic display against West Brom…